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2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD Possible, Says Chief Engineer

If you don’t like something about the brand-new Maverick, chief engineer Christopher Mazur is much obliged to listen to your criticism. In a recent AMA, the Ford veteran was asked why there’s no all-wheel-drive option for the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that comes standard at $19,995.
2022 Ford Maverick 57 photos
Photo: Ford
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“There is nothing architectural preventing an AWD hybrid variant,” said Mazur, which is another way of saying that Ford can - and probably will - offer the all-wheel-drive option for the refresh of the Maverick.

On the subject of plug-in hybrid electrification, “there are no plans for a plug-in hybrid or all-electric version. As Ford drives down the cost to deliver fully electric vehicles, Maverick could be a great candidate for full electrification,” signed off Mazur on the r/FordMaverickTruck subreddit.

Let’s analyze these scenarios one at a time, shall we? The most obvious hybrid powertrain would be adapted from the Escape Hybrid, which combines a 2.5-liter engine with two motor-generator units, an eCVT, and a liquid-cooled battery packaged below the second-row seats. The Escape Hybrid AWD uses a traditional mechanical prop shaft to send power to the rear wheels. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD features an electric motor, which is the simpler and lighter solution of the two, something that Ford should take into consideration for its future hybrids.

As for plug-in hybrid and zero-emission options, guess what? Ford can easily borrow the plug-in system of the Escape PHEV, although that’s a front-wheel-drive affair. What’s more, the Mustang Mach-E is based on the GE1 platform, a heavily reworked C2 platform from the third-gen Escape.

Obviously enough, all of these options are on the table as long as there’s sufficient demand for such powertrains. If you ask me, the plug-in hybrid would be too heavy for this application, while the BEV is likely to be introduced in due time with the GE2 that will replace the GE1.

In the meantime, Ford has to work its magic on that 2.5-liter hybrid AWD to keep customers interested in the Maverick. If they don’t act quickly, Hyundai may roll out a Santa Cruz with hybrid all-wheel drive from the Tucson before them, thus stealing valuable customers from the Blue Oval.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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